Chennai: Avadi

From Chennai Photos 2010

We are here for the children and, once again, the children did not disappoint.

After about a forty-minute drive through the usual crazy traffic we arrived at the beautiful Jayagopal Garodia Higher Secondary School in Avadi for our distribution of 477 bedkits. The organizers were very efficient and prepared so that our set up took the least amount of time so far. We were told about the history of the school which helped us understand the layout, construction, and goals the supporters had set for the education of their children.

We were fortunate to have the assistance of senior male students. They were energetic, cooperative individuals who helped make the delivery go very smoothly. They treated the little ones with care as they helped them from one point to another; as well as moving all the heavy kits from a secure room to the area we needed the bedkits to be for delivery to the children.

From Chennai Photos 2010

The children receiving the bedkits were such willing little tykes from beginning to end. It is so easy for anyone to find happiness in their smiles and giggles, in their ability to accept the day as it is, in their sense of curiosity about these SCAW people who want to help them. Because they are already clothed in one of the gifts -- a shirt and shorts or skirt -- it is easy to forget how needy they are, how disadvantaged they are by physical problems and poverty.

I was fortunate to be at the “giving the bedkit” station today. It allowed me to hear their “thank you” and to see their lovely faces light up. They all just warm you from the inside out.

By the end of the delivery, the heat and work has you pretty tired; but, I had one more cause for joy yet to come. The senior boys heard that I tap dance and asked me to do so for them. I did and it was pure delight seeing what fun they had from it.

Thank you children for being the treasures that you are.

Patsy Leamon
for Team Chennai 2010

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